Washington – Theft of software for personal computers leapt
14% globally last year to a record commercial value of $59 billion, according
to new figures from the Business Software Alliance (BSA), an industry
organization representing some of the largest commercial software publishers.
The amount has nearly doubled since 2003, fueled by increased shipments of PCs
to emerging economies.
The BSA said that while the number of PCs shipped to
emerging economies in 2010 accounted for more than 50% of the world total, paid
software licenses in those same countries accounted for less than 20% of global
sales.
“We need governments to step up their efforts on this issue by
supporting public education efforts, enacting and enforcing strong intellectual
property laws, and leading by example,” said Robert Holleyman, president
and CEO of the BSA.
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